Joplin edges Kickapoo with fortunate shot

Eagles take district title in windy contest

1:57 AM,
Nov. 9, 2013

Written by

Don Abernathy
FOR THE NEWS-LEADER

In raw temperatures and a stout southerly wind at Kickapoo High School on Friday, Joplin senior Luis Santillan made the biggest goal of his life.

As both teams battled it out in overtime of the Class 3 District 12 title game, Santillan benefited from a turn of luck.

From the top of the box, Santillan's shot lacked rotation and was a knuckleball that proved too hard for Kickapoo goalkeeper Quinn Ruggeri to handle. The shot glanced off Ruggeri's left hand and trickled into the net leaving Kickapoo stunned and giving Joplin the district title, 2-1 in overtime. ...